Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
On the eve of the secular New Year, the MTA released a map of proposed bus lines for Queens that seeks to redesign public surface transit with longer routes that span the borough by combining smaller ones. “We are very excited about this draft plan for Queens buses, because it is a true re-imagination of the routes,” said MTA NYC Transit President Andy Byford in a statement.
Taking no vote for granted, Kew Gardens Hills supporters of Rep. Grace Meng hosted her for an early fundraiser, highlighting her voting record and the very real threat posed by leftists within the Democratic Party who are promising to run primary challengers for every local seat, city, state, and federal. “Over the last six months, we’ve seen how important the political process is,” said Queens NORPAC Director David Steinberg. “We are challenged in this community and region by the fringe element trying to unseat candidates that we support.”
The multifaceted outreach work of Chazaq is best known for its programs aimed at public school students, seeking to educate them about Jewish observance and encourage their transfer to yeshivas. To facilitate the classes, lectures, and learning regimen, Chazaq has been operating Kolel Zichron Moshe VeLeah in Kew Gardens Hills for the past three years under the leadership of Rosh Yeshiva Rav Ahron Walkin.
The growing chorus of Congressional Democrats critical of President Donald Trump’s policies was on display last week when Rep. Andy Levin of Michigan circulated a letter among his colleagues expressing opposition to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s assertion that Israeli communities built across the former Green Line are not in violation of international law. Rather than exemplifying one point of disagreement, the letters listed four other examples of Trump’s shifting of longstanding American principles concerning Israel and the Palestinians.
The corner of 172nd Street and 73rd Avenue in Fresh Meadows has an official name: Ilyau Aronov Corner, honoring the builder of the Bukharian Jewish community in this section of Queens. Last Sunday, Councilman Rory Lancman made the renaming official at a ceremony that revealed the street sign carrying the name.
The shul with a heart in the center of Forest Hills, through its overall membership, is the story of Jews in New York exemplifying the successive Jewish immigration waves and economic conditions. Through the decades, the constants were its German minhagim and the warmth of its rabbis that reflected in the membership. “It is with great thanks to G-d Almighty, and to our dedicated community, that we celebrate our 80th anniversary,” said Rabbi Yossi Mendelson, mara d’asra of Congregation Machane Chodosh.
